Que. Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?
भारत में महिला सशक्तिकरण के लिए जेंडर बजटिंग अनिवार्य है। भारतीय प्रसंग में जेंडर बजटिंग की क्या आवश्यकताएँ एवं स्थिति हैं?
Structure of the Answer
(i) Introduction: Introduce the importance of “gender budgeting” for “women empowerment” in India, emphasizing how it addresses gender-based disparities through targeted resource allocation.
(ii) Main Body: Describe the “requirements” and “current status of gender budgeting,” focusing on policy requirements, institutional frameworks, and the scope of gender budgeting in India.
(iii) Conclusion: Summarize how “gender budgeting” is essential for equitable growth, underscoring its role in empowering women and fostering an inclusive society.
Introduction
“Gender budgeting” is a vital strategy for achieving “women empowerment” in India, enabling gender-based resource allocation across sectors. It seeks to address “gender inequalities,” promoting social, economic, and political equity for women through focused financial planning.
Requirements for Effective Gender Budgeting in India
(i) Policy-Level Commitment: Strong “political will” is essential for gender budgeting, demanding support from policymakers to sustain focused “gender-responsive allocations” across government budgets.
(ii) Gender-Sensitive Budget Formulation: “Gender budgeting” needs specific gender-sensitive budget formulations, ensuring women’s “unique needs” are addressed within government-funded programs and schemes.
(iii) Systematic Data Collection and Analysis: Effective budgeting requires comprehensive “gender-disaggregated data” to assess gaps and inform gender-sensitive resource allocation in line with empowerment goals.
(iv) Training and Capacity Building: “Gender budgeting” officials must be trained in “gender analysis” to ensure accurate budget preparation, evaluation, and implementation, optimizing the impact of policies.
(v) Monitoring and Accountability: To ensure transparency, “monitoring mechanisms” are essential, making sure budget allocations reach targeted beneficiaries and contribute to “gender equality.”
Current Status of Gender Budgeting in India
(i) Institutional Mechanisms: India institutionalized “gender budgeting” in 2005, with multiple ministries incorporating it into their allocations, focusing on “gender-responsive” initiatives.
(ii) Formation of Gender Budget Cells (GBCs): “Gender Budget Cells” within ministries analyze expenditure through a “gender lens,” promoting budget inclusivity and focus on women’s needs.
(iii) State-Level Gender Budgeting Initiatives: States like Kerala and Odisha have adopted gender budgeting frameworks, channeling resources to improve “women’s social and economic conditions.”
(iv) Sector-Wise Allocations and Implementation: Allocations have been made for sectors like health, education, and rural development, though limited funds hinder comprehensive “women empowerment.”
(v) Challenges and Constraints: Despite institutional mechanisms, gender budgeting faces “implementation challenges” such as limited funds, insufficient training, and lack of consistent gender analysis.
Impact of Gender Budgeting on Women Empowerment
(i) Enhanced Access to Healthcare and Education: “Gender budgeting” facilitates enhanced access to healthcare and education, addressing gender-based gaps that limit women’s participation in development.
(ii) Economic Empowerment and Employment Generation: Budgeted funds support women-centric “skill development” and “employment schemes,” promoting financial independence and broader “economic participation.”
(iii) Support for Marginalized Women: Targeted programs funded by “gender budgeting” address the needs of marginalized women, supporting their “social and economic” advancement.
(iv) Political Empowerment: Gender budgeting funds are channeled into leadership training and advocacy, fostering greater female “political participation” and decision-making.
(v) Reducing Gender-Based Violence: Funds are allocated to create safe spaces and support services, crucial in reducing “gender-based violence” and empowering women.
Conclusion
“Gender budgeting” plays an instrumental role in advancing “women empowerment” in India by channeling resources to reduce gender disparities. Strengthened implementation and broader funding can foster inclusive development and long-term “gender equality.”
